priority

noun pri·or·i·ty \ prī-ˈȯr-ə-tē , -ˈär- \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

Definition of priority

plural priorities

1 a (1) : the quality or state of being prior

(2) : precedence in date or position of publication —used of taxa

b (1) : superiority in rank, position, or privilege

(2) : legal precedence in exercise of rights over the same subject matter

2 : a preferential rating; especially : one that allocates rights to goods and services usually in limited supply

that project has top priority

3 : something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives

See priority defined for English-language learners

See priority defined for kids

Examples of priority in a Sentence

Reorganizing the sales force will be a top priority for the new president.
Getting the work done on time is a priority for me.
She decided to go to the party instead of studying? Where are her priorities?
I know you want to buy a new stereo, but right now, saving for college has to take priority.

Recent Examples of priority from the Web

Top-tier items that faltered during the final stretch were priorities for Republicans who have a firm majority at the Capitol.

— dustin gardiner, azcentral, "Why did Republican bills die in the Arizona Legislature? GOP goals shelved amid #RedForEd," 15 May 2018
That is because many of the students came from high schools where black culture had not been a priority.

— bea l. hines, miamiherald, "Black graduates celebrate decades of culture at Howard University | Miami Herald," 14 May 2018
That being said, this shouldn't be a high priority for Manfred & Co.

— si.com staff, SI.com, "Nine Innings: The Fear-Inducing Yankees, Examining MLB's Trends and Banning the Shift," 14 May 2018
Senate Finance Committee members wanted to send a clear message that health care programs for the vulnerable and hospitals were a priority -- no matter what spending plan emerges.

— julia o'donoghue, NOLA.com, "Louisiana Senate committee's 'pretend budget' meant to calm fear over health care cuts," 11 May 2018
The introduction of its own online stream was a huge priority for Liberty Media, the sport's owner, which is trying to bring the 21st century to a series that until now had stoutly ignored the Internet.

— jonathan m. gitlin, Ars Technica, "Formula 1 finally launched its livestream—and it was a total mess," 11 May 2018
But shielding Iran’s economy from embargoes on its oil and banking sectors is a priority.

— erin cunningham, Washington Post, "His nuclear deal and economy are crumbling, but don’t write off Iran’s president yet," 11 May 2018
And while a number of Democrats have spoken out on the issue of drug pricing recently, others have remained reluctant to address an issue that a majority of voters say should be a priority for the White House and Congress.

— lev facher, STAT, "A contentious West Virginia Senate race pits two candidates with close ties to pharma," 9 May 2018
Boosting nursing home funding was a priority for Senate budget lawmakers, led by Brown.

— allison kite, kansascity, "Missouri House votes to fully fund K-12 education, spare colleges from cuts | The Kansas City Star," 9 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'priority.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of priority

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

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priority Synonyms

PRIORITY Defined for English Language Learners

priority

noun

Definition of priority for English Language Learners

: something that is more important than other things and that needs to be done or dealt with first
priorities : the things that someone cares about and thinks are important
: the condition of being more important than something or someone else and therefore coming or being dealt with first

PRIORITY Defined for Kids

priority

noun pri·or·i·ty \ prī-ˈȯr-ə-tē \

Definition of priority for Students

plural priorities

: a condition of being more important than other things

Law Dictionary

priority

noun pri·or·i·ty \ prī-ˈȯr-ə-tē \

legal Definition of priority

plural priorities

: precedence in exercise of rights in the same subject matter

secured interests have priority over unsecured ones

priority

adjective

legal Definition of priority

1 : having precedence over another in the exercise of rights in the same subject matter

a priority creditor

a priority claim

2 : of or relating to priority

a priority contest

Learn More about priority

See words that rhyme with priority Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for priority Spanish Central: Translation of priority Nglish: Translation of priority for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of priority for Arabic speakers

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priority

Definition of priority

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First Known Use of priority

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PRIORITY Defined for English Language Learners

priority

Definition of priority for English Language Learners

PRIORITY Defined for Kids

priority

Definition of priority for Students

Law Dictionary

priority

legal Definition of priority

priority

legal Definition of priority

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